PaoloDiCanio expressed his frustration with Napoli's defeat against Villarreal, focusing in particular on GiovanniDiLorenzo's role in the Spanish team's 2‑1 goal. In interviews with Sky Sports, the former Lazio striker underlined that, although DiLorenzo shows great obsessive attention in carrying out his defensive task, he "trotted" on Villarreal's second goal, where he should have closed more quickly. According to DiCanio, the defender's too high position puts him in difficulty and the Neapolitan club must find a balance between pressure and coverage.
Napoli, who had shown a good pace of play in the first half of the match, suffered a setback when Villarreal canceled out their lead with a header in extra time. DiCanio highlighted that Villarreal's mentality, used to competing in Europe for years, made the difference: "Villarreal is a team used to playing in Europe for years, teams like this have a mentality." In this context, Napoli's defense had to face an opponent with strong European experience, which exacerbated DiLorenzo's closing difficulties.
DiCanio's comment is part of a broader moment of reflection on Napoli, who suffered a defeat that highlights their defensive gaps. The coach has already started to evaluate possible tactical adjustments, especially regarding the management of the central area. As the club continues to work on improvements, DiCanio's criticism highlights the need for a more balanced approach between pressure and coverage.
As for the season, Napoli remain in a competitive position in SerieA, but the defeat against Villarreal could affect their ranking. The club will have to concentrate its energy on crucial matches in the next matches, trying to consolidate the defense and regain the fans' confidence. DiCanio closed his interview with an appeal to the team: "We must find the balance, close early and not let ourselves be overwhelmed by our opponents." With the next match scheduled, Neapolitan fans await a return to form that can bring the team back to the level of competition that the club aspires to.